OTHER 6

An innovative website has been launched by Loyola Press, Jesuit publishers in Chicago.

Paul Campbell, a native of Belfast and a Jesuit working at Chicago's Loyola Press, believes the Other6 website takes the essence of Saint Ignatius' "Examen of Consciousness" and brings it to the web.

When you visit the site, you respond to one of two questions. First, where have I found God today? Secondly, where do I need to find God today?

Campbell believes the practice of answering these questions on a regular basis will help people become more mindful of God’s presence in their lives and will increase their self-awareness.

Visitors can follow the sequences of comments that have been attached to various topics, leave their own remarks, or avail themselves of the reminders the site offers.

The site has a graphic format. The page presents an image of clustered bubbles on the screen, some dark and some in lighter blue. Each bubble represents a visitor's idea, recording their insights and comments. Holding the cursor over a bubble shows they're grouped in two categories, listing either where people have found God or where they would like to find Him.

Asked, "What does the name Other6 mean?" Paul says, "I chose this name principally because it is short, not 'churchy' and -hopefully- somewhat intriguing. It implies some people 'find' God on Sundays in church, but that site is helpful the Other6 days of the week."